DeKalb plans to buy St. Henrys Church

DEKALB JUNCTION  The town of DeKalb wants to buy St. Henrys Catholic Church, 27 Gibbons St., for a library and other community activities.

We want to provide more opportunities in the town and this is a good way to do it, Supervisor Larry D. Denesha said.

St. Henrys parish merged with Cantons St. Marys Church about eight years ago. After the merger, the Diocese of Ogdensburg changed the status of St. Henrys Church from a parish to an oratory, which means the building could still be used as a house of prayer but no longer would be used for regular Sunday Masses.

St. Marys offered the church to the town for $10,500.

We said unanimously we would be foolish not to purchase it, Mr. Denesha said.

St. Marys is interested in selling buildings that are not being used in order to spend less on utilities, insurance and maintenance, the Rev. Douglas J. Lucia said.

The town extended a purchase offer, which must be approved by state Supreme Court.

The town has been considering how to create a library in partnership with the Richville Library, since a survey on ways to revitalize the community showed great interest in it, Mr. Denesha said.

There really wasnt any place that was appropriate, he said. St. Henrys would fit the bill for the library. There was the potential for so many things.

The town hall is cramped, so the town might use some of the space for town functions. The church – which is within walking distance of a complex for senior citizens  also could be a place for performances.

Itll be a benefit to everybody, Mr. Denesha said.

He said the building is in good shape, although some roof work may be needed. The church has requested the stained-glass windows, so the town will replace those if the sale goes through.

Northern New York Newspapers writer Susan Mende contributed to this report.

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